Good luck, Otis!

Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos hosted its Wags & Wellness send-off party for Otis, a two-year-old golden retriever who will become the Club’s official pet therapy dog! BGCSM supporters gathered at the Club to bid Otis farewell before he embarked on a training and certification program that will enable him to provide the best care and experience for Club members as part of the new Pet Therapy program. This program will be an extension of the Wellness Program, which was created in 2018 to address the gap in access to mental health services and resources for San Marcos youth, aiming to support Club members in achieving their academic and personal goals by fostering coping skills, building self-esteem, setting goals, making responsible decisions, and providing positive reinforcement. 

The Wellness Program provides youth with access to individual and group counseling, psychoeducation, case management, and crisis intervention at the Club, in addition to connecting families with a network of community resources. When Otis returns, he will work together with BGCSM’s Wellness Program Director and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Amy Wechsler, to help Club members gain the tools they need to better understand their emotions and express them. Through a series of weekly workshops, youth in the  Pet Therapy Program will explore a wide range of topics such as listening, impulse control, social skills, and healthy lifestyles. Otis will also offer social-emotional support during counseling visits, reduce stress during Power Hour (with some well-deserved belly rubs!), boost literacy as Club kids read to him, encourage active and healthy lifestyles during outdoor playtime, and foster positive pet interactions with Club members. Club members already adore Otis and have already formed a special bond with him during his visits. According to Hannah M., a second grader at the Club, "He makes me feel better when I am having a bad day because he's cute and soft!" Everyone at the Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos is eagerly anticipating Otis's return, as they know he will do a fantastic job in providing the support and care that the Club members need.